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Citation
Lazzaretti, D., Veith, K., Kramer, K., Basquin, C., Urlaub, H., Irion, U., Bono, F. (2016). The bicoid mRNA localization factor Exuperantia is an RNA-binding pseudonuclease.  Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 23(8): 705--713.
FlyBase ID
FBrf0233074
Publication Type
Research paper
Abstract
Anterior patterning in Drosophila is mediated by the localization of bicoid (bcd) mRNA at the anterior pole of the oocyte. Exuperantia (Exu) is a putative exonuclease (EXO) associated with bcd and required for its localization. We present the crystal structure of Exu, which reveals a dimeric assembly with each monomer consisting of a 3'-5' EXO-like domain and a sterile alpha motif (SAM)-like domain. The catalytic site is degenerate and inactive. Instead, the EXO-like domain mediates dimerization and RNA binding. We show that Exu binds RNA directly in vitro, that the SAM-like domain is required for RNA binding activity and that Exu binds a structured element present in the bcd 3' untranslated region with high affinity. Through structure-guided mutagenesis, we show that Exu dimerization is essential for bcd localization. Our data demonstrate that Exu is a noncanonical RNA-binding protein with EXO-SAM-like domain architecture that interacts with its target RNA as a homodimer.
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    Language of Publication
    English
    Additional Languages of Abstract
    Parent Publication
    Publication Type
    Journal
    Abbreviation
    Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol.
    Title
    Nature Structural and Molecular Biology
    Publication Year
    2004-
    ISBN/ISSN
    1545-9993 1545-9985
    Data From Reference
    Aberrations (1)
    Alleles (8)
    Genes (3)
    Physical Interactions (1)
    Natural transposons (1)
    Insertions (5)
    Experimental Tools (2)
    Transgenic Constructs (7)